Ezra L. Walrath

April 30, 1827 - June 26, 1894

from The Syracuse Courier, June 27, 1894:

COL. WALRATH DEAD.
An Old and Respected Citizen and
a Brave Soldier
Gone.
Col. Ezra L. Walrath, for half a
century a prominent citizen of Syra-
cuse, died yesterday afternoon at 4:30
of pneumonia. Col. Walrath has been
ill for several months, but was not
thought to be in immediate danger.
Col. Walrath was born in Clock-
ville, Madison county, May 2, 1828. He
came to Onondaga when a young man
and always made Syracuse his home.
He served as captain of the Syra-
cuse Citizens' Corps and later as Col-
onel of the 51st Regiment, New York
State Militia. At the outbreak of
the war he was Colonel commanding
the Twelfth New York Volunteers,
("The Old Twelfth"), and was present
at the battle of Bull Run, Yorktown,
Hanover Court House, Gaines' Mill,
Malvern Hill and second Bull Run.
Colonel Walrath was taken sick with
congestion of the lungs and resigned.
Upon his recovery he enlisted in the
115th New York Volunteers as Cap-
tain, and was promoted to Major and
afterwards to Lieutenant-Colonel. He
served to the end of the war.
He was promoted Lt. Colonel by
brevet by President Johnson for gal-
lant and meritorious conduct at the
storming of Fort Fisher, N.C. Col-
onel Walrath was first commander of
Post Dwight. He was first command-
er of Root Post, No. 151, G.A.R.
He was also charter member and
first commander of Veteran League of
Onondaga county.
Before the war Colonel Walrath
was very active in military matters
and considered one of the best drill-
masters in the State. The interest
which he then showed he never lost.
Colonel Walrath was a Democrat in
politics and at his death a vestryman
of St. James church.